DE8329335U1 - At least two-part spatial body, in particular hollow body - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ATTORNEY
HANS-JOACHIM KANTNER

GRADUATE ENGINEER

PATENT ATTORNEY DIPL-INC. H-J. KANTNER DARMSTÄDTER STR.8. 607 LANCEN/H ESSEN

6070 LANGEN. 1 0. OCT. 1383

DARMSTÄDTER STRASSE 8 TELEPHONE: (06103) 230 29 TELECRAMM: KANTNERPATENTE LANGENHESSEN

New participant step: fsiww telegram address ;

IDEALW

Horst May

6057 Dietzenbach

At least two-part spatial body, in particular hollow body

The invention relates generally to at least two-part spatial bodies, in particular hollow bodies, such as two- or multi-part pipe sections or two- or multi-shell floating runners of a catamaran sailing boat, and relates in particular to such a body with a device for the force-transmitting connection of these parts thereof.

The task of creating larger spatial bodies from at least two or more parts arises in many different forms in technology, as well as in sports and play equipment and also in everyday articles. Up to now, however, the only thing that has been important is a good sealing effect of a joint used to connect two such parts of a spatial body.

The emphasis is on the equipment used, but not on its ability to transfer forces from one section to another.

Up to now, ring flange connections have been used to connect pipe sections or, for example, pressure vessel rings to one another or to a dome-forming cover or a discharge funnel or similar, in which two ring flanges, each assigned to one of the two sections to be connected to one another, are screwed and clamped together using screw bolts that pass through aligned holes in them. However, this type of connection has some not insignificant disadvantages: On the one hand, it requires considerable manufacturing effort for the insertion of the receiving holes for the screw bolts, which are distributed around the circumference of the ring flanges, and for the procurement, storage and provision of the screw bolts, nuts and washers at the assembly site itself. Accordingly, this type of connection of such sections is extremely costly. In addition, the assembly by inserting the screw bolts and applying and tightening the nuts, if necessary with lock nuts, as well as the disassembly, requires a practically incomparable amount of time and work, with corresponding costs. This known type of connection can only be reused for various purposes if at least some of its individual parts, namely the screw bolts and/or nuts, are replaced by new individual parts to restore the connection after they have been dismantled. After a long period of intended use of the parts held together by means of such a known connecting device to form a spatial body, such as a piece of pipe or a protective sheath made of tubes for cables, flow lines or the like, which

in the ground, significant corrosion phenomena tend to occur due to the aggressive components of the surrounding material, which make at least the screw bolts and/or the threads of the same and their nuts, if not also the holes in the receiving holes for these in the ring flanges, completely unusable for reuse. ..The same would be the case with the influence of seawater on spatial bodies made up of sections held together by such a connecting device, such as two or more-shelled floating runners of a catamaran sailing boat. Similar problems also occur wherever spatial bodies used as casings made up of several sections held together by such a known connecting device are exposed to an aggressive gas atmosphere.

In addition, this known type of connection of two parts to form a spatial body requires a certain minimum width of the ring flanges to accommodate the screw bolt holes, which, in addition to an unavoidable minimum weight, also makes it difficult to accommodate the flange connection in space, which is particularly noticeable when laying such a spatial body in the ground due to the additional work and cost involved in excavation work. For spatial bodies that are exposed to gaseous or liquid flows in the normal direction to the ring flanges, similar to the floating skids of catamaran sailing boats, such a known connection device is also completely unsuitable because these ring flanges of such a known connection device inevitably represent a flow obstacle that is extremely disruptive to the desired laminar flow and thus reduce the relative speed of such a body from at least two

parts of a spatial body composed of composite parts and a flowing ambient medium, such as the seawater on which a catamaran sails, would be significantly impaired. Particularly with such spatial bodies, such as the floating runners of catamaran sailing boats or the like, it would be desirable to be able to design them for the first time in two or more parts in such a way that such a sailing boat or the like can be easily, quickly and conveniently reassembled at any time without impairing its sporting ability, and can be transported in a disassembled state in the luggage compartment of a mid-range motor vehicle, such as the loading area of a so-called station wagon, so that it can be brought into operational readiness easily, quickly and conveniently, whereby the need must also be taken into account that, especially with such spatial bodies, despite their design as hollow bodies made of glass fiber reinforced plastic material with the thinnest possible walls, a sufficiently good force transmission from one part to the other must be reliably guaranteed, particularly with regard to the resulting bending moments around an axis lying in the connecting plane.

The invention is therefore based on the task of creating a possibility, using simple and cost-effective means, to be able to assemble spatial bodies from at least two parts by means of a connecting device practically as often as desired, simply, quickly and conveniently with comparatively little time and effort and without tools, while avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art, so that not only is a good force transmission from one part to the other reliably guaranteed even when these parts are made of more or less heavily glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material, but also a

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just as simple, quick and convenient re-disassembly of the relevant spatial body into its individual parts is possible and yet there is no risk of impairment of the reusability of such a connecting device due to corrosion phenomena of the individual parts, which are otherwise comparatively much easier, more economical and faster to manufacture and are more convenient and cheaper to store and transport as well as easier and faster to handle than the individual parts of known connecting devices, due to the targeted design of these individual parts.

The invention achieves this in a surprisingly simple and economical way in a generic at least two-part spatial body by two ring flanges each fixed or fixable to one of the parts to be connected to one another, which each have an approximately bead-like edge thickening at the same radial distance from a reference line common to both parts to be connected to one another, for example the central axis of both parts to be connected to one another, and a releasable locking device with at least three approximately tongue-like clamp elements preferably arranged at the same angular distance from one another, each with two clamp halves that can be brought into a force-locking and/or form-locking operative connection with the two edge thickenings of the ring flanges of both parts to be connected to one another in the connection position, in which these edge thickenings arch away from one another when the associated ring flanges are in contact with one another, and by one or a plurality of locking elements, by means of which the clamp halves of the clamp elements can be brought into the Edge thickening of the

Ring flanges in the connecting position can be brought together by a system on the respective associated edge thickening of the "adjacent ring flange" and can be released again in this position at any time.

In a further expedient development of the invention, depending on the material and shape of the individual parts to be connected to one another, at least one of the ring flanges can be connected to the part to be connected to it in a force-fitting manner, for example by gluing or by welding or clamping or the like, or in a form-fitting manner, for example by riveting, screwing or locking or the like, or can be formed in one piece with the part to be connected to it.

It is clear that the invention creates for the first time a possibility of assembling three-dimensional bodies, such as the floating skids of catamaran sailors, from two or more parts in such a way that, on the one hand, sufficiently good force transmission conditions are reliably guaranteed even under the most unfavorable mechanical conditions, such as those that tend to occur in particular when made of plastic material, without endangering the connection of these individual parts and, on the other hand, there is practically no risk of impairment of the flow resistance conditions, particularly with regard to achieving and maintaining a good laminar flow of the surrounding flow medium relative to the three-dimensional body in question, which means that for the first time such three-dimensional bodies such as the floating skids of catamaran sailors or the like can be transported in or on a mid-range motor vehicle.

The extremely simple, convenient and yet comparatively quick handling according to the invention, despite the tool-free operation, achieves a resistance to corrosion that was previously not considered possible in the professional world, which, precisely because of the inventive concept, has a significant

the

thoughtless reusability of the individual parts required for connecting the individual sections to one another with the corresponding economic advantages, not only in terms of the cost price but also for long-term use. The reliability of the connection of the individual sections to one another is at least as good as with conventional detachable connections, while the space required for accommodating not only the entire spatial body but in particular the connecting device for its sections is significantly less than with conventional designs and, in addition to the lower weight that may have to be supported, correspondingly lower costs are incurred for the accommodation. This makes the invention useful and, with all its advantages, usable for other applications in which conventional flange connections had to be used up to now, for which the pipe connections mentioned above are just one of many examples of use.

An expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the two clamp halves of each clamp element each have a jaw opening with which they engage around the edge thickening of the associated ring flange in the connection position and by introducing the locking element common to both clamp halves into its working position relative to and on both of them in a force-locking and form-locking manner directed at compressing both adjacent edge thickenings of the ring flanges of both parts to be connected.

This clearly ensures reliable assembly of the connection between adjacent sections of the spatial body to be created, which does not require any special care when creating it, since this connection acts both force-fitting and form-fitting. In addition, a further improvement of the invention ensures that the ring flanges carrying the edge thickenings only need to be so small that the gripping jaws of the clamp halves of the clamp elements can grip the respective associated edge thickening, whereby the external space requirement is kept particularly low, as is the flow resistance when flowing in the direction normal to the ring flange surface.

Although the invention, with regard to its particular strength conditions, is independent of the design of the sealing of the interior of the space body against gas and/or liquid entry from the outside and, accordingly, sealing measures of any type, even conventional ones, can be used in combination with the invention, another development of the invention according to a subordinate inventive concept has proven particularly useful, in which at least one of the ring flanges that can be brought into contact with one another in the connecting position has at least one ring groove that opens towards the adjacent ring flange and has a preferably ring-shaped sealing element arranged in this. It can preferably be provided that the ring groove or ring grooves are arranged in the area of the edge thickening of the associated ring flange. A particularly useful embodiment of this subordinate inventive concept, which makes do with ring flanges of the same design and is therefore particularly economical, is characterized in that both ring flanges that can be brought into contact with one another in the connecting position

flanges each have at least one annular groove and that two annular grooves of different annular flanges are arranged at the same radial distance from a reference line common to both sections to be connected, which can be, for example, the central axis of both sections to be connected, and accommodate a preferably annular sealing element which, in the connecting position, simultaneously engages in both opposing annular grooves of different annular flanges. In any case, in addition to the desired good sealing effect, which is also increased by the fact that the seal can be arranged in such a way that it is kept in effect by the same means that also ensure that the permanent connection of the two associated parts of the spatial body is maintained, and a particularly small space requirement by arranging the sealing element(s) in the area of the edge thickening of one of the two ring flanges that can be brought into contact with one another in the connecting position or the two opposite edge thickenings of the two ring flanges, there is also a desired reinforcement of the edge thickening zones of the ring flanges when they lie against one another in the connecting position, which makes it possible to reduce the material thickness of the ring flanges at least in the area of their edge thickenings for predetermined force ratios to be transmitted without impairing the force transmission effect, which not only has a positive effect on costs, but also on the weight to be handled.

Preferably, according to another subordinate inventive concept, the two clamp halves of the clamp elements can be connected by a

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Ring flanges can be connected to one another by a swivel joint located outside their free outer edge, which enables both clamp halves to swivel relative to one another in a plane parallel to a common reference line between the two sections to be connected, which can be, for example, the central axis of both sections to be connected, which can also preferably be positioned in such a way that it accommodates this common reference line, for example the central axis mentioned. The swivel joint can be expediently formed by a connecting web made of elastically deformable plastic material between the two clamp halves of each clamp element, which results in a particularly low-maintenance yet highly reliable swivel linkage of the two clamp halves to one another. Another useful development of this subordinate inventive concept serves to further reduce production costs while increasing corrosion resistance, according to which the two clamp halves of each clamp element are each made in one piece from plastic material and the swivel joint connecting them is formed by a material thinning achieved by shaping.

It has also proven particularly useful if, according to another subordinate inventive idea, the clamp elements are designed to hold themselves secured against changes in position by pivoting around the central axis of the edge thickening structure encompassed by their mouth openings of both ring flanges that are in contact with one another in the connecting position, for example due to axial earth pressure in a pipe connection laid in the ground or due to dynamic pressure caused by the speed of a catamaran sailing boat. In this case, in appropriate further development,

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It can be seen that the edge thickening of at least one of the ring flanges, but preferably both ring flanges, has a cross-sectional area with a polygonal outer boundary contour and the mouth openings of the clamp halves of the clamp elements are each contoured in a complementary manner. This results in a very simple and yet reliable positive locking ^of the clamp elements against relative movement around the cross section of the edge thickenings of the two ring flanges that are in contact with one another in the connecting position, which are held together by them. Alternatively, this can also be achieved with a different design, in which the edge thickening of at least one of the ring flanges, preferably both ring flanges, has a cross-sectional area with a continuously curved outer boundary contour and the mouth openings of the clamp halves of the clamp elements are each contoured in a complementary manner, forming a support nose that can be brought into contact with the outer surface of the associated ring flange in the connecting position and supports itself against pivoting. This design eliminates the need for the polygonal contouring of the outer surface of the edge thickenings of the ring flanges, as these can be particularly simple, for example round and convexly curved. It should also be emphasized that, of course, even in the previously described design with jaw openings of the clamp elements with a polygonal contour, the clamp halves can each have a support nose with which they are additionally supported against pivoting on the outer surface of the associated ring flange.

Although within the scope of the invention any point of engagement for the locking element(s) on the clamp halves of the clamp elements is possible, and

Although also inside or on the side of the space body part from the edge thickenings of the ring flanges, a particularly simple embodiment of the invention results if the locking element(s) can be brought into operative connection with the two clamp halves of each clamp element outside the free outer edge of the ring flanges. In a further development of this solution, the point of engagement of the locking element(s) on the clamp halves of each clamp element can be arranged at a greater distance from the pivot axis of both clamp halves formed by the pivot joint on the side of the same remote from the edge thickening than the central axis of the edge thickening structure encompassed by the clamp halves of both ring flanges that are adjacent to one another in the connecting position. This results in particularly good accessibility of the locking element(s) during its assembly or disassembly.

Furthermore, the point of engagement of the locking element(s) on the clamp halves of each clamp element can be expediently formed by a recess for this element(s) in each clamp half of each clamp element. This increases the security of the connection against unwanted or unauthorized release of the same.

According to another subordinate inventive concept, each clamp element can be assigned at least one locking element that can be inserted between the two freely outwardly projecting ends of its clamp halves in the circumferential direction of the ring flanges. In this case, the freely outwardly projecting ends of the two clamp halves of each clamp element can be arranged at the same distance from the

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To facilitate the insertion of the locking elements into their working position corresponding to the connection position of the two sections to be connected to one another, the locking elements can also advantageously each have an outer contour on at least one side which centers their insertion into the receiving recesses in the clamp halves of the associated clamp element, for example in the form of a spherical cap, a cone or a truncated cone or a pyramid or a truncated pyramid or the like. Particularly simple and correspondingly economically producible designs result when the locking elements are designed as balls or as a cylinder with an extension extending away from at least one of its front sides in the form of a cone or truncated cone or similar, or as a parallelepiped with an extension extending away from at least one of its polygonal front sides in the form of a pyramid or truncated pyramid or similar. To further simplify and facilitate the introduction of the locking elements into their respective working position on and in interaction with the associated locking element and to avoid the loss of one or the other locking element, the individual locking elements can be expediently connected to one another, for example by a cord, chain or similar.

According to an alternative solution to the last-described subordinate inventive concept, a common to all clamp elements can also be provided, preferably in the radial direction of the

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Ring flanges between the two freely outwardly projecting ends of the two clamp halves of each clamp element a locking element that can be inserted. The freely outwardly projecting ends of the two clamp halves of each clamp element can preferably have a receiving recess for the locking element at the same distance from the pivot axis formed by the swivel joint. The locking element can also expediently be a metal or plastic ring that can be snapped into the receiving recesses of the clamp halves of each clamp element. Alternatively, the locking element can also be a piece of metal wire or plastic strand or plastic hose that can be threaded into the receiving recesses of the clamp halves of each clamp element and has at its ends a device for securing them to one another or to a part fixed to the clamp element or ring flange, preferably under tension in the axial direction. It is clear that the implementation of the invention with only one locking element common to all clamping elements represents a solution that is not only cost-effective but also easy to assemble and disassemble, since such a locking element can be moved into the working position corresponding to the connection position of the parts to be connected with considerably less care and can be released from this position again with practically no great attention when the connection of the individual parts of the spatial body is to be separated. If an open locking element is used, this offers the advantage, in contrast to a ring-like closed locking element, of being able to individually adjust the length of the latter as required and thus the tension in the direction of its own axis (axial direction) and thus in turn the tension

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in the radial direction of the ring flanges, which can always be particularly desirable when a displacement of the locking element in the direction of the edge thickenings of the ring flanges leads to a pivoting of the two clamp halves of each clamp element in the sense of a closing of the receiving mouth formed between them and...thereby an increase in the on the edge thickenings of the ring flanges received in this, as is always the case when the locking element lies in receiving grooves in the free outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves of each clamp element.

Another subordinate inventive idea is concerned with an even greater securing of the connection between two adjacent parts of a spatial body of the type described above while at the same time further simplifying the handling of the connecting device and provides for this purpose that the locking elements are formed by swivel feet directed towards one another on the free outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves of the clamp elements, which can be pivoted towards one another by means of a slider which is slidably guided on rail-like projections arranged on the outside of the clamp halves and which overlaps at least two such projections of adjacent clamp elements in order to bring them into the connecting position and have toothed recesses and toothed projections arranged alternately on the front side, by means of which they exert pressure on one another in the connecting position on the one hand by pivoting the two freely outwardly projecting ends of the associated clamp halves away from one another and on the other hand hold one another in clamping engagement with one another,

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until the clamping of the ring flanges can be released by means of a tongue of the slider which can be inserted between the toothed recesses and projections in the circumferential direction of the ring flanges to release the connection position.

It is clear that the zipper principle is being used in reverse here, in that the slider not only clamps the toothed recesses and toothed projections together, but also simultaneously achieves a supporting effect aimed at pushing them off one another, which creates pressure aimed at pivoting the clamp halves around the pivot joint connecting them in the sense of closing the mouth opening formed between them.

Furthermore, it has proven to be particularly useful if the clamp elements are not simply freely movable on their own, but are connected to one another in a band-like manner, for which purpose the material webs forming their pivot joint can be designed as a continuous band extending over their axial length. This not only creates an overall structure of all clamp elements, or at least a large number of them, which makes it impossible to lose individual clamp elements, but also enables further rationalization of production, storage, transport and/or assembly in the sense that the clamp elements can be manufactured in long bands regardless of their number ^of uses and can be cut to the appropriate length "by the meter" depending on requirements or the number required. It should be emphasized here that it is not necessary to connect the two ends of the band holding the individual clamp elements together.

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is not possible, but can be provided for.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail purely by way of example using some preferred embodiments which are shown schematically in drawings.
Showing:

Fig. 1 the edge area of an axial section through the ring flanges of two parts to be connected to form a spatial body,

Fig. 2 is a side view of a straight area of the ring flange according to Fig. 1, which is provided with several retaining elements according to the invention, from the direction of arrow A, which can also be part of a straight development of a circular ring flange
such as that of a
pipe connection,

Fig. 3 in the representation according to Fig. 1 another design of clamp elements and locking elements,

Fig. 4 in the representation according to Fig. 2 corresponding representation the arrangement of clamp elements and locking elements according to Fig. 3>

Fig. 5 ⁱⁿ the representation according to Fig. 1 and 3 another embodiment of the invention in open and closed positions.
Disassembly position of the locking elements of the clamp elements,

Fig. 6 in the representation according to Fig. 5 corresponding representation the same embodiment in the closed or clamped position of the locking elements, 'and

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Fig. 7 shows a section along line VII - VII of the slider by means of which the locking elements of the embodiment according to Fig. 5 and 6 are brought into and out of working engagement with one another.

The spatial body designated as a whole with 1 has, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 ^, two parts to which ring flanges 2 and 3 are integrally formed. These each have an edge thickening 4 or 5, respectively, which are each curved away from each other so that in the working or connecting position shown they form a receiving groove 9 facing the adjacent edge thickening of the adjacent ring flange for a sealing element 12 inserted into it, which can preferably be designed as a sealing ring made of suitable rubber, hard rubber or plastic material and can simultaneously serve as pressure reinforcement for the edge thickenings 4 or 5 of the ring flanges 2 or 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the edge thickening structure 4, 5 of both ring flanges 2, 3 in contact with one another is encompassed by at least three clamp elements 7 of a locking device, designated as a whole by 6, which are distributed over the circumference of the same, preferably at the same angular distance from one another, in that the clamp elements 7 are each formed from two clamp halves 7a and 7t>, which are connected to one another by a swivel joint 13. This is formed by a material web made of elastic plastic material and/or such a material thinning achieved by shaping that sufficient pivoting of both clamp halves 7a, 7b connected to one another by this material web 13 is possible relative to one another about the pivot axis formed by this material web 13. These clamp halves

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7a, 7"b can be made of any material, but plastic material has proven particularly useful, especially since the pivot joint can be made in one piece with the two clamp halves 7a, 7h while retaining the particularly advantageous design of the pivot joint as a plastic web 13. However, any other design of pivot joints is also possible, which allow a pivot axis for pivoting the clamp halves _about them relative to one another.

The swivel joint is arranged between the two ends of the two clamp halves 7a, 7"b, and this is practical, but not necessarily closer to the end of the same that is closest to the edge thickening or section. On the side facing the edge thickenings 4, 5 of the ring flanges 2, 3 that are to be held in contact with one another in the connecting position, the ends of both clamp halves 7a, 7h of each clamp element 7 facing these have a mouth opening 10 or 11 that is preferably contoured to complement the outer surface of the edge thickenings 4 or 5, with which they grip the edge thickenings 4 and 5 of the two ring flanges 2 and 3 that cover the sealing element 12 between them, in the connecting position shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the free end areas of these Ends of the clamp halves 7a and 7h each have a support lug 14 and 15, respectively, with which they can be brought into contact with the radial area of the respective ring flange 2 or 3 located between the end area remote from the swivel joint and the area of the ring flange 2 or 3 that opens into the respective one of the two parts to be connected to one another (not separately designated, but shown) and thereby not only exert contact pressure on these two areas, but also prevent the entire clamp element 7 from pivoting around the central axis of the edge thickening structure 4, 5 formed by the central axis of the sealing element 12.

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secure, as could otherwise occur under the effect of, for example, earth pressure or the dynamic pressure of sea water caused by the speed of a spatial body designed as the floating skid of a catamaran sailor.

The prerequisite for this, however, is the effectiveness of the locking of both clamp halves 7a, 7"b against relative pivoting in relation to one another in the plane a shown in Fig. 2 containing a reference line of both parts to be connected to form the desired spatial body, which could also be the common symmetry or central axis of the same, and at the same time ensures the application of the pressure to hold together the two ring flanges 2, 3 of the parts to be connected and thus also these themselves on the edge thickenings 4, 5 of these ring flanges 2, 3. For this purpose, a locking member 8 designed as a plastic strand, common to all clamp elements 7, is provided, which can also be designed as a closed ring. This is inserted from the outside in the direction of arrows B in Fig. 2 into the narrowing, trapezoidal space between the two ends of the clamp halves 7a, 7b that are remote from the edge thickening and snaps into its recesses 16 and 17 in these two outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves 7a, 7b, which determine the locking position corresponding to the connection position of the two ring flanges 2, 3 of the sections to be connected to one another, and automatically holds itself there, secured against unwanted release of this locking position. On the other hand, the locking element 8, if it is designed as an open strand, can also be threaded axially in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 2 into the space between the two outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves 7a, 7t>, which are far from the edge thickening, and at the same time into their receiving recesses 16 and 17. In such a

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In this case, however, it is recommended to secure the free ends of the locking element 8 by fixing them to a clamp element 7 or a part firmly connected to it, or even better to a ring flange 2 or 3 or a part firmly connected to it, or by connecting both free ends of the locking element 8 to one another. Eyelets and hooks, in particular snap hooks, screw connections or the like, such as the type of clasps on necklaces or the like, can be used for this purpose. By shortening the circumferential length of the locking element 8 accordingly, it has the tendency to reduce its distance from the swivel joint 13, which, in conjunction with the clear width of the space between the two clamp halves 7a, 7h of each clamp element 7, which decreases as it is moved, leads to further swiveling of the same in the plane a and a corresponding reinforcement of the force through the jaw openings 10 or 11 of the both clamp halves 7a, 7"b of each clamp element 7 on the edge thickenings 4, 5 of the ring flanges 2, 3. In addition, this is basically determined by the diameter of the locking member 8 in coordination with the clear width of the space between the two clamp halves 7a, 7~b of each clamp element ■ 7 at the location of its locking seat defined by the two recesses 16 and 17 in the outwardly projecting ends of the same from the swivel joint I3 and with the contour and clear width of the jaw openings 10 and 11 in the same. The point of engagement of the locking member 8 on the clamp halves 7a, 7"b, defined by the position of the receiving recesses 16, 17 relative to the pivot axis of the pivot joint 13, is expediently arranged at a greater distance from the pivot axis of the pivot joint 13 than the center axis of the side of the pivot joint remote from the locking member.

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13 located edge thickening structure 4-, 5 of the ring flanges 2, 3> since this allows relatively large contact pressures to be applied to the two edge thickenings 4 and 5 of the ring flanges 2, 3 even for small insertion paths of the locking element 8 in the direction of arrows B.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 and 4 is essentially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and 2, so that the explanation of corresponding details can be omitted.

The only difference is the special design of the locking device, designated as a whole with 6, in that in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 and 4, as can be seen particularly clearly from Fig. 4, it does not have a locking element 8 common to all clamp elements 7, but rather individual locking elements 8a or 8b or 8c or 8d assigned separately to each individual clamp element 7. In the illustrated embodiment, as is particularly clear in Fig. 4, these are designed as spherical locking bodies which can be inserted in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 4 into the space between the two outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves 7a, 7b, which are remote from the edge thickening, and into the receiving recesses 16 and 17 provided in these, in order to provide the locking effect in the same way as already described above for the locking element 8 common to all clamp elements 7 according to Fig. 1 and 2, and which can be brought in the direction of arrow E again from their locking position shown in Fig. 3 in order to release this and thus the connection position between the two ring flanges 2, 3 and the associated sections to be connected to one another.

Instead of balls, as shown, the locking

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elements 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d can also have other shapes, such as that of a cylinder. In order to make it easier to insert the locking elements into their locking position between the two outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves 7a, 7b, they should expediently have a shape through which they automatically center themselves relative to the clamp halves 7a, 7t> or the receiving recesses 16, 17 in them when inserted into their locking position. In the spherical shape of the locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d shown in Fig. 4, this centering effect is provided by the spherical cap near the clamp elements. In other designs of such locking elements, appropriate sharpenings in the areas near the clamp elements should be provided for this purpose. Thus, a locking body design can be used which has a cylinder as a locking or locking body, the front side of which near the clamp element continues into a cone or truncated cone or the like. ■» On the other hand, the locking elements can also have a locking or locking body in the form of a polygonal parallelepiped, in which case the receiving recesses 16 and 17 in the clamp halves 7a, 7b of the clamp elements 7 should of course be appropriately contoured accordingly. In such a case, the polygonal front surface of this locking or locking body near the clamp element could then preferably continue into a pyramid or a truncated pyramid or the like.

In this context, it should also be emphasized that the locking element 8 common to all clamp elements 7 according to Fig. 1 and 2 could of course also have a polygonal cross-section instead of the circular cross-section shown, in which case the receiving recesses 16 and 17 for this in the clamp halves 7a, 7b of the

Fig. 1 shown clamp element 7 could have corresponding contouring.

In order to facilitate the insertion and removal of the individual locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d according to Fig. 3 and 4 - in and out of the locking position corresponding to the connection position of the parts to be connected to one another, as shown in particular in Fig. 4, the individual locking members 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are connected by means of a band 19 or a chain or the like and kept at the same distance. This has a connecting device at its two free ends, which is connected by a screw nipple piece 21 connected to the band 19 or the chain or the like at one end and a screw nipple piece 22 connected to the band

19 or the chain is formed at the other free end and by means of which the two ends can be secured to one another in the manner of a necklace closure, whereby by screwing the screw nipple 21 more or less far into the screw sleeve 20, the effective length of the locking element arrangement can be shortened more or less and thereby the same advantageous effects with regard to in particular an increase in the contact pressure of the jaw openings 10, 11 of the clamp halves 7a, 7b of the individual clamp elements 7 can be achieved, as already explained above in connection with the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2. On the other hand, however, for example, on a clamp element 7 or a part secured to it or on a ring flange 2 or 3 or a part secured to it, corresponding counterparts for the screw nipple 21 and the screw sleeve can also be provided.

20 can be provided so that the two free ends of the band 19 or the like connecting the individual locking elements 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d can be fixed in place by means of a clamp element or ring flange.

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In Fig. 2 and 4 it is further shown that the individual clamping elements 7 can be combined by a connecting band to form a similarly roughly band-shaped unit, whereby, as shown, this can be achieved in that the material webs forming the swivel joints 13 of the clamping elements 7 between the clamp halves 7a? 7"b of the same are formed in one piece, connecting adjacent clamping elements 7 to one another, so that a band containing a large number of such clamping elements 7 can be produced of any length, from which the desired length with the required number of clamping elements 7 can be cut off depending on requirements and intended use.

In the further embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5 to 7, essential details of the same are identical to those of the previously discussed embodiments according to Fig. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3 and 4. Here, too, a different type of locking device is provided, again designated as a whole by 6. On the one hand, this has complementary pivot feet 18a and 18b, which can be hinged to the outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves 7a and 7b, which are remote from the edge thickening, or, as shown in Fig. 5 and 6, can be formed in one piece, with their pivot joint also being formed by a material constriction achieved by means of shaping. These swivel feet 18a, 18b each have alternating toothing recesses 27 and toothing projections 26, in such a way that either the swivel foot 18a has at least one toothing projection 26 and the swivel foot 18b has at least one toothing recess 27 or vice versa, the swivel foot 18a has at least one toothing recess 27 and the swivel foot 18b has at least one toothing projection 26. Preferably, however, several toothing recesses 27 or corresponding toothing projections can be provided per swivel foot.

- 26 -

speaking at the other welding foot toothing projections
26 should be provided.

The pivot feet 18a and 18b are contoured so that in their non-locking position shown in Fig. 5, they are out of engagement with each other and preferably
are also without contact with each other, but can be pivoted into the locking position shown in Fig. 6 by a slider 24 sliding on rail-like projections 22 or 23 arranged on the outside of the clamp halves 7a or 7t>, in which they clamp each other with their toothed projections 26 penetrating into the toothed recesses 27 in such a way that on the one hand a pressure directed towards pivoting the pivot feet 18a, 18b against the direction of the arrows F in Fig. 5 is supported by the clamping connection of both pivot feet 18a, 18b with each other and thereby
the clamp halves 7a, 7"b in locking position
automatically hold themselves and on the other hand a pivoting apart of the ends of the
Clamp halves 7a, 7b are maintained by means of which the jaw openings 10 and 11 thereof are held in contact with the edge thickening structure 4, 5 "while simultaneously exerting pressure on it. To release this clamping connection of the swivel feet 18a, 18b of the individual clamp elements 7, one
at least two clamp elements 7 overlapping length
having slide 24 in its closing direction opposite direction on the rail-like projections
22, 23 of adjacent clamping elements 7, so that its separating tongue 25 moves between the clamped pivoting feet 18a, 18b and gently mechanically releases their clamping by providing an ever-increasing gap 26 in the slide 24, into which a hood-shaped

- 27 -

like pressure bar 27 on this "or the separating tongue 25 of the same, the pivoting feet 18a, 18b of the respective clamp halves 7a, 7t> of the clamp element 7 to be released from its locking position are pressed downwards against the direction of the arrows F in Fig. 5 and pivoted at the same time.

Instead of being made of metal, as shown in Fig. 6 and 7 by appropriate sectional hatching, the slide 24 can also advantageously be made of plastic. It should also be emphasized that, unlike in particular in Fig. 1, 3, 5 "U ¹¹ Cl. 6, the mouth openings 10 and 11 can also be designed with a polygonal boundary contour, in which case it is expedient, but by no means necessary, for the edge thickenings 4, 5 of the ring flanges 2, 3 to have a complementary contour. The ring flanges themselves can also be separate parts, instead of being formed as a single piece on the parts of the spatial body to be created that are to be connected to one another, which are fixed or can be fixed to the parts in question in a suitable manner, for example by gluing, welding, riveting or the like, or by screwing or the like.

Furthermore, although the invention has only been illustrated and explained using a few preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these; rather, the person skilled in the art has a wide range of options for adapting it to the respective material and/or production conditions and/or the requirements of the individual application by combining its features differently or exchanging them for equivalent means, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (30)

Expectations 1.) At least two-part spatial body, in particular a hollow body, such as a two- or multi-part pipe section or a two- or multi-shell floating skid of a catamaran sailing boat, with a device for the force-transmitting connection of these parts, characterized by two ring flanges (2 or 3) each fixed or fixable to one of the parts to be connected to one another, which each have an approximately bead-like edge thickening (4 or 5) at the same radial distance from a reference line common to both parts to be connected to one another, for example the central axis of both parts to be connected to one another, and a releasable locking device (6) with at least three approximately tongue-like clamp elements (7) preferably distributed at the same angular distance from one another, each with two with the two edge thickenings (4 or 5) of the ring flanges (2 or 3) of both parts to be connected to one another in the connection position, in which these edge thickenings (4 or 5) when the associated Ring flanges (2,3) arch away from each other, in force- and/or form-fitting by means of one or more locking elements (8 or 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d or 18a, 18b) which can be brought into an operative connection, by means of which the clamp halves (7a, 7t>) of the clamp elements (7) can be brought into the edge thickenings (4, 5) of the ring flanges (2, 3) in ^a connecting position, holding them against one another on the respectively associated edge thickening (4- or 5) of the adjacent ring flange (2 or 3) and can be held in this position at any time and can be released again. 2.) Body according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the ring flanges (2 or 3) can be connected to the part to be connected to it in a force-fitting manner, for example by gluing or welding or clamping or the like. 3.) Body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the ring flanges (2 or 3) can be connected to the part to be connected to it in a form-fitting manner, for example by riveting, screwing or locking or the like. 4.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the ring flanges (2 or 3) is formed in one piece with the part to be connected to it. 5.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two clamp halves (7a, 7t>) of each clamp element (7) each have a jaw opening (10 or 11) with which they can be connected in the connecting position encompass the edge thickening (4 or 5) of the associated ring flange (2 or 3) and, by introducing the locking element (8 or 8a or 8b or 8c or 8d or 18a or 18b) common to both clamp halves (7a» 7"b) into its working position, can be brought into a force-locking and form-locking operative connection with both adjacent edge thickenings (4, 5) of the ring flanges (2, 3) of both parts to be connected together and can be held in this connection. 6.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the annular flanges (2 or 3) which can be brought into contact with one another in the connecting position has at least one annular groove (9) opening towards the adjacent annular flange (3 or 2) with a preferably annular sealing element (12) arranged in this. 7.) Body according to claim 6, characterized in that the annular groove(s) (9) is/are arranged in the region of the edge thickening (4 or 5) of the associated annular flange (2 or 3). 8.) Body according to claim 6 or 7 ₅ , characterized in that both ring flanges (2, 3) which can be brought into contact with one another in the connecting position each have at least one ring groove (9) and that two ring grooves (9) of different ring flanges (2 or 3) are at the same radial distance from a reference line common to both parts to be connected to one another, for example, the central axis of both parts to be connected to one another, and accommodate a preferably annular sealing element (12) which, in the connecting position, simultaneously engages in both opposing annular grooves (9) of different annular flanges (2 or 3). 9.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two clamp halves (7a, 7b) of the clamp elements (7) are connected to one another by a swivel joint (13) which, in the connecting position of both ring flanges (2, 3), is located outside their free outer edge, which enables both clamp halves (7&i 7"b) to be pivoted relative to one another in a plane (a) which is parallel to, and preferably receives, a reference line common to both parts to be connected, for example the central axis of both parts to be connected. 10.) Body according to claim 9, characterized in that the swivel joint is formed by a connecting web (13) made of elastically deformable plastic material between the two clamp halves (7a, 7t>) of each clamp element (7). 11.) Body according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the two clamp halves (7a and 7b) of each clamp element (7) are each formed in one piece from plastic material and the swivel joint connecting them is formed by a material thinning (13) achieved by shaping. 12.) Body according to one of claims 5 to 11 , characterized in that the clamp elements (7) are designed to hold themselves secured against change in position by pivoting about the central axis of the edge thickening structure (4, 5) encompassed by their mouth openings (10 "or 11) of both ring flanges (2, 3) which are in contact with one another in the connecting position, for example due to axial earth pressure in the case of a pipe connection laid in the ground or due to dynamic pressure occurring due to the speed of a catamaran sailing boat. 1J.) Body according to claim 12, characterized in that the edge thickening (4 or 5) of at least one of the ring flanges (2 or 3), preferably both ring flanges (2, 3), has a cross-sectional area with a polygonal outer boundary contour and the mouth openings (10 or 11) of the clamp halves (7a or 7b) of the clamp elements (7) are each contoured in a complementary manner. 14.) Body according to claim 12, characterized in that the edge thickening (4 or 5) of at least one of the ring flanges (2 or 3)> preferably both ring flanges (2, 3), has a cross-sectional area with a continuously curved outer boundary contour and the mouth openings (10 or 11) of the clamp halves (7a or 7b) of the clamp elements (7) are each contoured in a complementary manner to form a support nose (14 or 15) which can be brought into the connecting position in abutment against pivoting on the outer surface of the associated ring flange (2 or 3). ■ ■ s f 15.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element(s) (8 or 8a or 8b or 8c or 8d or 18a or 18d) can be brought into operative connection with the two clamp halves (7a or 7b) of each clamp element (7) outside the free outer edge of the ring flanges (2 or 3). 16.) Body according to claim 15, characterized in that the point of engagement of the locking element(s) (8 or 8a or 8b or 8c or 8d or 18a or 18b) on the clamp halves (7a, 7b) of each clamp element (7) is arranged at a greater distance from the pivot axis of both clamp halves (7a» 7b) formed by the pivot joint (13) on the side of the latter remote from the edge thickening than the central axis of the edge thickening structure (4, 5) encompassed by the clamp halves (7a, 7b) of both annular flanges (2, 3) which are in contact with one another in the connecting position. 17·) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the point of engagement of the locking element(s) (8 or 8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) on the clamp halves (7a, 7b) of each clamp element (7) is formed by a recess (16 or 17) for this in each clamp half (7a or 7b) of each clamp element (7). 18.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each clamp element (7) is provided with at least one locking element (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) which can be inserted between the two freely outwardly projecting ends of its clamp halves (7a or 7b) in the circumferential direction of the ring flanges (2, 3). assigned. 19·) Body according to claim 18, characterized in that the freely outwardly projecting ends of the two clamp halves (7a or 7b) of each clamp element (7) have a receiving recess (16 or 17) for the associated locking element (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) at the same distance from the pivot axis of the same formed by the pivot joint (03). 20.) Body according to claim 19, characterized in that the locking elements (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) each have, at least on one side, an external contour which centers itself when they are inserted into the receiving recesses (16, 17) in the clamp halves (7a, 7b) of the associated clamp element (7), for example in the form of a spherical cap, a cone or a truncated cone or a pyramid or a truncated pyramid or the like. 21.)" Body according to claim 20, characterized in that the locking elements (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) are designed as balls. 22.) Body according to claim 20, characterized in that the locking elements (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) are designed as bodies having the shape of a cylinder with an extension extending away from at least one of its end faces in the form of a cone or truncated cone or the like. 23.) Body according to claim 20, characterized in that the locking elements (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) are designed as bodies having the shape of a parallelepiped with an extension extending away from at least one of its polygonal end faces in the form of a pyramid or a truncated pyramid or the like. 24.) Body according to one of claims 18 to 23» characterized in that the individual locking elements (8a or 8b or 8c or 8d) are connected to one another, for example by a cord (19), chain or the like. 25·) Body according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized by a locking element (8) common to all clamp elements (7) and insertable preferably in the radial direction of the ring flanges (2, 3) between the two freely outwardly projecting ends of the two clamp halves (7a, 7b) of each clamp element (7). 26.) Body according to claim 25, characterized in that the freely outwardly projecting ends of the two clamp halves (7a, 7b) of each clamp element (7) have a receiving recess (16 or 17) for the locking element (8) at the same distance from the pivot axis thereof formed by the pivot joint (13). 27.) Body according to claim 26, characterized in that the locking element is a metal or plastic ring which can be snapped into the receiving recesses (16 or 17) of the clamp halves (7a, 7b) of each clamp element (7). 28.) Body according to claim 26, characterized in that the locking element (8) is a piece of metal wire or plastic strand or plastic hose which can be threaded into the receiving recesses (16, 17) of the clamp halves (7a, 7"b) of each clamp element (7) and has at its ends a device (20, 21) for securing them to one another or to a part fixed to the clamp element or ring flange, preferably under tension in the axial direction. 29·) Body according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the locking elements are formed by pivoting feet (18a, 18b) directed towards one another on the free outwardly projecting ends of the clamp halves (7a or 7b) of the clamp elements (7), which can be pivoted towards one another by means of a slide (3^) which is slidably guided on rail-like projections (22 or 23) arranged on the outside of the clamp halves (7a or 7b) and which overlaps at least two such projections (22 or 23) of adjacent clamp elements (7) in order to bring them into the connecting position and have toothed recesses (27) and projections (26) arranged alternately on the front side, by means of which they ■ in the connecting position, on the one hand, exert pressure on one another directed away from one another by pivoting the two freely outwardly projecting ends of the associated clamp halves (7a, 7b) and on the other hand remain clamped together until the clamping of the same can be released by means of a tongue (25) of the slide (24) which can be inserted between the toothed recesses (27) and projections (26) in the circumferential direction of the ring flanges (2, 3) to release the connecting position. - 10 - - 10 - 30.) Body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp elements (7) are connected in a band-like manner, preferably by means of webs (13) each forming their pivot joint.